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ITV Report

8 February 2013 at 6:47am

Workmates climb Kilimanjaro in memory of John

John Taylor died on Mont Blanc Photo: family photo

A team of workmates are about to scale Kilimanjaro in memory of their colleague who died in the French Alps. Experienced mountaineer John Taylor, from Upper Poppleton near York, was among nine climbers who lost their lives in an avalanche on Mont Blanc in France last year. He died alongside his friend Stephen Barber, also from York, who lived on the same street.

John had planned to climb Mount Kilimanjaro himself, so it seemed only fitting that his colleagues should take it onboard themselves. Before setting on to Africa the group trained at Roseberry Topping on the North Yorkshire/Cleveland border. Every step they take will raise money for the Daisy chain project, a charity which provides much needed support for autistic children and their families. And as the team make that long journey their thoughts won't be far from the friend they've lost.

Friends Stephen Barber and and John Taylor died together Credit: family photos

Everybody loved John and as a colleague as well he's sadly missed at work but a really nice guy, he loved being outdoors and would have absolutely loved Kilimanjaro and I think it was really his idea initially to do that and as we struggle up there in the next week or so I'm sure he'll be looking down and laughing at us as we try and struggle our way to the top.